Minister: Multi-national firms should finance elite amateurs

Minister Brendan Griffin has suggested that multi-national companies in Ireland should be approached with a view to providing financial support for elite amateur athletes.

The idea follows on from an interview given to the Irish Examiner by the Kerry TD earlier this month in which he made the case for tax exemptions for GAA inter-county players and other amateurs.

The opinion has generated significant debate. Among the potential problems pointed out was that the GAA was an all-island organisation, but tax breaks from Dublin would apply only to the 26 counties.